deployable laboratory
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Exposure of cell cultures at air-liquid interface (ALI), mimicking i.e. human lung surface, is believed to be one of the most realistic means to model toxicity of complex mixtures of pollutants on human health. The complexity of the close cooperation of "emissions source" and toxicology groups and of the instrumentation are among the limiting factors of ALI. In this work, the concepts of ALI exposure and real-world emissions monitoring using portable emissions monitoring systems (PEMS) are combined into a portable emissions or air toxicity system, for field deployment, including operation in moving vehicles. Cell cultures grown on 6 mm inserts are placed in an airtight 17x13x9 cm exposure box, where the sample is symmetrically distributed into 8 wells of a standard Transwell 24-well holder at 25 cm3/min/insert. In a 40x35x45 cm inner dimensions incubator, sample and control air are conditioned to 5 % CO2, 37 °C and >85 % humidity and drawn through 2-4 exposure boxes. Characterization with silver nanoparticles revealed 50 % particle losses at 15 nm and deposition rate of approximately 1.5 % at both 10 and 21 nm mean diameter. The system has undergone an extensive field validation, including 4 h of exposure and 2 h transport in a vehicle each day for 5 days, 5-day operation outside in vans and tents at -7 to +32 °C, long transport and test on a heavy-duty truck, during which cells were exposed to the diluted exhaust from the truck, this being the first known use of ALI exposure chamber as PEMS. The portable exposure chamber, along with a field-deployable auxiliary mobile base including a small laminar flow box, additional incubator and freezer, can be easily used to study the toxicity of various emissions, effluents and polluted air, aiming for a more relevant toxicity measure than chemical composition alone.
- Klíčová slova
- Air-liquid interface, Mobile laboratory, Mobile sources, Polluted air, Toxicity,
- MeSH
- látky znečišťující vzduch * toxicita analýza MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí * metody přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- testy toxicity * metody přístrojové vybavení MeSH
- výfukové emise vozidel * toxicita analýza MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- látky znečišťující vzduch * MeSH
- výfukové emise vozidel * MeSH
Nerve agents have been used recently in the Syrian civil war. Collecting relevant samples for retrospective identification of an attack is often problematic. The article deals with the possibility of using contaminated gloves as an analytical sample for evidence of the chemical weapons use. There have not yet been published studies dealing with the identification of chemical warfare agents in this type of matrix, where the diversity of chemical properties of gloves and the lifetime of the contaminated sample would be considered. Sarin, soman, and cyclosarin were used as contaminants in the study. Nitrile, latex, and vinyl disposable gloves were chosen as matrices. The identification method was gas chromatography. Six solvents commonly used in military laboratories were tested as extractants. The extraction procedure was optimized in terms of the appropriate method (vortex) and the required extraction time (1 min) and resulted in significant reduction in sample preparation time. The chromatographic background of the extracts was also monitored in order to find a method with the least number of peaks interfering in the identification. Suitable solvents were hexane and acetonitrile. The lifetime of the sample was also investigated. The worst result was recorded for latex. For individual contaminants, the time varied depending on the volatility. The developed procedures were successfully validated within a sample handling effects scenario. The results demonstrate that in the event of an ongoing military risk at the site of an attack, even discarded disposable rubber glove type samples can be used as evidence.
- Klíčová slova
- G-agents, chemical warfare agents, deployable laboratory, polymer sample, sarin,
- MeSH
- guma * chemie MeSH
- latex MeSH
- nervová bojová látka * MeSH
- ochranné rukavice MeSH
- retrospektivní studie MeSH
- rozpouštědla MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- guma * MeSH
- latex MeSH
- nervová bojová látka * MeSH
- rozpouštědla MeSH
Existence of life in extreme environments has been known for a long time, and their habitants have been investigated by different scientific disciplines for decades. However, reports of multidisciplinary research are uncommon. In this paper, we report an interdisciplinary three-day field campaign conducted in the framework of the Coordination Action for Research Activities on Life in Extreme Environments (CAREX) FP7EU program, with participation of experts in the fields of life and earth sciences. In situ experiments and sampling were performed in a 20 m long hot springs system of different temperature (57 °C to 100 °C) and pH (2 to 4). Abiotic factors were measured to study their influence on the diversity. The CO2 and H2S concentration varied at different sampling locations in the system, but the SO2 remained the same. Four biofilms, mainly composed by four different algae and phototrophic protists, showed differences in photosynthetic activity. Varying temperature of the sampling location affects chlorophyll fluorescence, not only in the microbial mats, but plants (Juncus), indicating selective adaptation to the environmental conditions. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA microarray and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)-based analysis in laboratory showed the presence of a diverse microbial population. Even a short duration (30 h) deployment of a micro colonizer in this hot spring system led to colonization of microorganisms based on ribosomal intergenic spacer (RISA) analysis. Polyphasic analysis of this hot spring system was possible due to the involvement of multidisciplinary approaches.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Food and catering and its impact on health and life satisfaction of coalition soldiers during their deployment on a military operation in the Middle East area was the aim of our research. Our fundamental research question was how food and catering in the military operational environment affects the life satisfaction and health of deployed soldiers.
- Klíčová slova
- food and catering, health, life satisfaction, military operation, quality in healthcare,
- MeSH
- kvalita života MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- osobní uspokojení * MeSH
- ozbrojené síly * MeSH
- stravovací služby * MeSH
- výzkum MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Dánsko MeSH
- Spojené království MeSH
- Spojené státy americké MeSH
Current RFID technology deployment is limited by safety, procedural and physical limitations in healthcare field. It is important to define and ensure safe operation of technologies without actual deployment in real operation. Potential problems could arise due to the consequences of technical and physical characteristics of RFID technology and its improper location. This article deals with manipulation of blood products and the definition of suitable places for radio identification. Each suitable place must undergo laboratory experiments and tests. The results can provide a convenient base for defining efficient and safe deployment of RFID technology in Blood Centers with substantial financial savings for Czech healthcare.
Nanoparticles have been employed to elucidate the innate immune cell biology and trace cells accumulating at inflammation sites. Inflammation prompts innate immune cells, the initial responders, to undergo rapid turnover and replenishment within the hematopoietic bone marrow. Yet, we currently lack a precise understanding of how inflammation affects cellular nanoparticle uptake at the level of progenitors of innate immune cells in the hematopoietic marrow. To bridge this gap, we aimed to develop imaging tools to explore the uptake dynamics of fluorescently labeled cross-linked iron oxide nanoparticles in the bone marrow niche under varying degrees of inflammation. The inflammatory models included mice that received intramuscular lipopolysaccharide injections to induce moderate inflammation and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice with additional intramuscular lipopolysaccharide injections to intensify inflammation. In vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fluorescence imaging revealed an elevated level of nanoparticle uptake at the bone marrow as the levels of inflammation increased. The heightened uptake of nanoparticles within the inflamed marrow was attributed to enhanced permeability and retention with increased nanoparticle intake by hematopoietic progenitor cells. Moreover, intravital microscopy showed increased colocalization of nanoparticles within slowly patrolling monocytes in these inflamed hematopoietic marrow niches. Our discoveries unveil a previously unknown role of the inflamed hematopoietic marrow in enhanced storage and rapid deployment of nanoparticles, which can specifically target innate immune cells at their production site during inflammation. These insights underscore the critical function of the hematopoietic bone marrow in distributing iron nanoparticles to innate immune cells during inflammation. Our findings offer diagnostic and prognostic value, identifying the hematopoietic bone marrow as an imaging biomarker for early detection in inflammation imaging, advancing personalized clinical care.
- Klíčová slova
- MRI, inflammation, intravital microscopy, iron nanoparticle, myelopoiesis,
- MeSH
- experimentální diabetes mellitus * patologie MeSH
- kostní dřeň diagnostické zobrazování MeSH
- lipopolysacharidy MeSH
- myši MeSH
- nanočástice * MeSH
- zánět diagnostické zobrazování patologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- myši MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- lipopolysacharidy MeSH
The distributed long-range sensing system, using the standard telecommunication single-mode optical fiber for the distributed sensing of mechanical vibrations, is described. Various events generating vibrations, such as a walking or running person, moving car, train, and many other vibration sources, can be detected, localized, and classified. The sensor is based on phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (ϕ-OTDR). Related sensing system components were designed and constructed, and the system was tested both in the laboratory and in the real deployment, with an 88 km telecom optical link, and the results are presented in this paper. A two-fiber sensor unit, with a double-sensing range was also designed, and its scheme is described. The unit was constructed and the initial measurement results are presented.
- Klíčová slova
- distributed fiber optic sensor, mechanical vibrations, vibration sensor, ϕ-OTDR,
- MeSH
- design vybavení MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- optická vlákna MeSH
- technologie optických vláken * MeSH
- vibrace * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The constrained DET (diffusive equilibrium in thin films) probe filled with agarose gel was successfully used for measuring depth profiles of metals and anions in estuarine sediments at high-resolution (mm). The agarose gel was tested for equilibration times and recoveries. For manganese (10 mg l(-1)), the equilibration time between an aqueous solution and the agarose gel was reached after 60 min. In the presence of humic acids it was five times longer. As a consequence, for field applications a deployment time of 5-24 h was applied. The subsequent elution of manganese into nitric acid was completed in less than 10 min even without mixing. For agarose gel in contact with solutions of 10 mg l(-1) ions (cadmium, copper and manganese, bromide, chloride, nitrate and sulfate), recoveries obtained were close to 100%. DET probes were applied in test laboratory sediment and in real sediment in the Authie (France) estuary. Depth profiles for 19 elements (Ag, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, Tl, V, and Zn) and four anions (bromide, chloride, nitrate and sulfate) were established for the test laboratory sediment. In the real sediment, the pore water concentrations of iron and manganese using gel probes were comparable with those obtained by a conventional method (box core-anoxic slicing followed by centrifugation).
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Over the last years, Czech soldiers became involved in several foreign missions. In 2001-2003 more than 4000 persons participated in such missions. Since their activities are typically associated with high health risks including that of acquiring infectious diseases, the significance of prevention is underlined. Preventive antiepidemic measures taken in soldiers of the Army of the Czech Republic before their deployment and upon return home are described. Prior to being dispatched on a foreign mission any soldier is screened at the department for occupational diseases at the military hospital. Such a screening enables to identify persons with impaired health who are unfit for the mission. Upon return home any soldier is screened for infectious diseases. The scope of the screening varies with geographical area where the mission took place. In the case of missions to areas at high epidemiological risk such as Afghanistan and Iraq, substantially enlarged laboratory screening is conducted with an emphasis on serodiagnosis of infectious diseases. An important step in the prevention of infectious diseases is vaccination prior to mission deployment. The vaccination schedule has developed over years to currently include vaccination against tetanus, viral hepatitis A and B, typhoid fever, type A and C meningococcal meningitis and poliomyelitis and is being further modified in agreement with the latest recommendations and known risks. Soldiers can also be vaccinated against other diseases such as influenza and rabies. The prevention of infectious diseases as described in this article is based on travel medicine applied to the military environment.
- MeSH
- infekce přenos MeSH
- kontrola infekce * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- ozbrojené síly * MeSH
- vakcinace * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
A new resin gel based on Spheron-Oxin(®) chelating ion-exchanger with anchored 8-hydroxyquinoline functional groups was tested for application in diffusive gradient in thin film technique (DGT) for determination of uranium. Selectivity of uranium uptake from model carbonate loaded solutions of natural water was studied under laboratory conditions and compared with selectivity of the conventional Chelex 100 based resin gel. The affinity of Spheron-Oxin(®) functional groups enables determination of the overall uranium concentration in water containing carbonates up to the concentration level of 10(2) mg L(-1). The effect of uranium binding to the polyacrylamide (APA) and agarose diffusive gels (AGE) was also studied. Uranium is probably bound in both gels by a weak interaction with traces of acrylic acid groups in the structure of APA gel and with pyruvic and sulfonic acid groups in the AGE gel. These sorption effects can be eliminated to the negligible level by prolonged deployment of DGT probes or by disassembling probes after the 1-2 days post-sampling period that is sufficient for release of uranium from diffusive gel and its sorption in resin gel.
- MeSH
- chelátory chemie MeSH
- difuze MeSH
- gely chemie MeSH
- kationtoměniče chemie MeSH
- monitorování životního prostředí metody MeSH
- oxychinolin chemie MeSH
- senzitivita a specificita MeSH
- uhličitany chemie MeSH
- uran izolace a purifikace MeSH
- voda analýza MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- hodnotící studie MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- chelátory MeSH
- gely MeSH
- kationtoměniče MeSH
- oxychinolin MeSH
- uhličitany MeSH
- uran MeSH
- voda MeSH
